Growing Beehive Ginger Plants In The Yard

Stunning ornamental plants, beehive ginger plants are cultivated for their exotic appearance and range of colors. If you are new to growing tropical flowers, you could hardly find an easier or more rewarding candidate to start with than the beehive ginger. The thick, glossy foliage is pest free, and the plants will tolerate a range of soils and sun exposures, as long as you provide enough moisture. In fact, a pond or stream-side planting location will give plants the ample humidity they crave, while controlling erosion at the same time. A three-inch layer of organic mulch will also help moisture retention. Use cocoa bean mulch, which stays true to the tropical theme and also contrasts nicely with the emerald green foliage. You can buy beehive ginger plants, but most mail order companies will send rhizomes, not unlike the edible rhizomes you buy for cooking. Plant these in well-draining soil (moist does not mean boggy) about an inch under the soil’s surface. It’s OK if some buds or shoots are above the soil. Don’t over-water rhizomes before growth kicks in, or you risk inviting fungi and rot.

Beehive ginger plants need some sun to get enough energy to produce their spectacular bracts, but to much sun can burn foliage, turning the edges crispy. A location in bright dappled shade is ideal. A container plant in a screened lanai or under a pergola can provide shade if trees are scant on your property, or even a discreet placement of shade cloth during the hottest months may help. If your growing site gets more sun than you intended, increase your watering accordingly, and don’t allow the plants to dry out.